Play Mat System

ABSTRACT

A play mat system to which various objects may be removably mounted over a display. The play mat system generally includes a housing having a transparent upper surface or upper cover. A display is either integrated with the housing or provided by an electronic device such as a tablet computer which may be removably connected to the lower surface of the housing via one or more receiver brackets. The housing may include a plurality of projections extending from its upper surface or upper cover to which various objects such as toys or building blocks may be removably mounted. Multiple housings may be interconnected via links such that they function as a singular display unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/135,388 filed Mar. 19, 2015. The 62/135,388 application is currently pending. The 62/135,388 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Example embodiments in general relate to a play mat system to which various objects may be removably mounted over a display.

2. Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Play mats have been in use by children for many decades. Typical play mats comprise flexible mats which are placed on the ground. Various objects are generally fixedly or removably connected to the play mats so that a child may lay on the play mat and play with the toys. In some play mats, structures are provided that suspend the toys over the child while the child is on the play mat.

Play mats have been limited in the type of toys which may be connected thereto. For example, play mats do not typically have any structure to which toy figures such as toy soldiers or robots may be connected alongside with traditional building blocks such as LEGOS or DUPLOS. Further, any imagery on the play mat is generally fixed, with alternating images or even videos not being supported.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a play mat system. The play mat system includes a housing having a transparent upper surface or upper cover. A display is either integrated with the housing or provided by an electronic device such as a tablet computer which may be removably connected to the lower surface of the housing via one or more receiver brackets. The housing may include a plurality of projections extending from its upper surface or upper cover to which various objects such as toys or building blocks may be removably mounted. Multiple housings may be interconnected via links such that they function as a singular display unit.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the play mat system in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the play mat system that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the play mat system in detail, it is to be understood that the play mat system is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The play mat system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a play mat system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example embodiment with a pair of objects secured to the projections.

FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an example embodiment displaying an image.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an example embodiment in which multiple housings have been interconnected to form a single display.

FIG. 8 is a first side view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a second side view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a first end view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a second end view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is a top view of an example embodiment displaying an image.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of an example embodiment with a tablet aligned for connection to the housing.

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of an example embodiment with a tablet connected to the housing.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of an example embodiment with a tablet connected to the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overview.

An example play mat system generally comprises a housing 20 having a transparent upper surface 21 or upper cover 30. A display 34 is either integrated with the housing 20 or provided by an electronic device 36 such as a tablet computer which may be removably connected to the lower surface 22 of the housing 20 via one or more receiver brackets 37. The housing 20 may include a plurality of projections 32 extending from its upper surface 21 or upper cover 30 to which various objects 12 such as toys or building blocks may be removably mounted. Multiple housings 20 may be interconnected via links 46 such that they function as a singular display 34 unit.

B. Housing.

As shown throughout the figures, exemplary embodiments include a housing 20 which comprises an upper surface 21, a lower surface 22, a first end 23, a second end 24, a first side 25, and a second side 26. The housing 20 may comprise a mat or board. The housing 20 may be flexible in some embodiments, or rigid in other embodiments. The size, shape, and orientation of the housing 20 may vary across different embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the rectangular shape shown in the figures should not be construed as limiting in this regard. Different sizes may be utilized so that the present invention may be utilized across a wide range of age groups and for a wide range of purposes.

As shown in FIG. 7, multiple housings 20 may be interconnected to form a larger play mat system 10. The orientation in which the housings 20 are interconnected may be tailored to suit specific user's needs. For example, multiple housings 20 may be interconnected in a daisy chain configuration as a linear series. As shown in the figures, multiple housings 20 may also be interconnected in a manner which retains the overall shape of a singular housing 20 but with far greater surface area for the displays 30.

Various structures and methods may be utilized to removably interconnect multiple housings 20 together, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, clamps, brackets, and the like. In the embodiment shown in the figures, each housing 20 includes connectors 27 and receivers 28 on its ends 23, 24 and sides 25, 26.

The connectors 27 may comprise pegs or other similar extensions which are adapted to be removably received by the corresponding receivers 28. The receivers 28 may comprise openings sized to frictionally receive the corresponding connector 27 from an adjacent housing 20. In the exemplary figures, the first end 23 and second side 26 of the housing 20 includes receivers 28 while the second end 24 and first side 25 of the housing 20 includes connectors 27.

Many embodiments of the housing 20 will be adapted to be removably mounted on a variety of surfaces such as walls, ceilings, floors, and the like. It should be appreciated that the housing 20 may be removably mounted to any horizontal, diagonal, or vertical surface without any limitation based on orientation of the surface. Various methods and structures may be utilized for removably mounting the housing 20 on such surfaces, such as the suction cups 29 on the lower surface 22 of the housing 20 shown in FIG. 4.

C. Upper Cover.

The housing 20 may include an upper cover 30 which is fixedly or removably connected to the upper surface 21 of the housing 20. In some embodiments, the upper cover 30 may be integral with the housing 20 and thus form its upper surface 21. In other embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 12, the housing 20 may include a recessed portion on its upper surface 21 which accommodates the display 34 and upper cover 30.

The upper cover 30 will preferably be transparent or semi-transparent such that images from an underlying display 34 may be viewed through the upper cover 30. In embodiments without a discrete upper cover 30, the upper surface 21 of the housing 20 may itself be transparent or semi-transparent.

The upper cover 30 will preferably include a plurality of projections 32 extending upwardly therefrom. In embodiments without a discrete upper cover 30, the plurality of projections 32 will extend upwardly directly from the upper surface 21 of the housing 20. The projections 32 are utilized to removably receive any number of objects 12 on the housing 20, such as toys, building blocks including LEGOS or DUPLOS, scenery such as trees and the like, or any other object 12 which would be desirable to secure to the housing 20 for education or play. It should be appreciated that the projections 32 may be adapted for use with toys from different manufacturers by connecting the toys (such as through openings on the toys themselves) to the housing 20.

It should be appreciated that the shape, size, and orientation of the projections 32 may vary in different embodiments. The projections 32 could cover the entire upper surface 21 of the housing 20 or, in other embodiments, could cover only portions of the upper surface 21 of the housing 20. Any areas on the housing 20 without projections 32 could be utilized to provide instructions, other text, symbols, and the like.

In the exemplary figures, the projections 32 are shown as being comprised of vertical pegs. The projections 32 could in some embodiments not extend vertically, but extend at various angles. The projections 32 are shown as cylindrical in the exemplary figures, but alternate shapes could be utilized such as a square-shaped or star-shaped cross-section. The projections 32 will preferably be adapted to fit with common toys, building blocks, or the like. Adapters may be provided to allow for different types of objects 12 to be connectable to the projections 32.

D. Display.

As shown throughout the figures, the housing 20 includes a display 34 which is adapted to project various images or videos through the upper cover 30 or upper surface 21 of the housing 20. The display 34 may comprise various configurations, including LCD, LED, and the like. The display 34 may comprise various sizes as well. Although the figures illustrate that the display 34 covers substantially the upper surface 22 of the housing 20, the display 34 could cover less or more of the overall area of the upper surface 22 of the housing 20 in different embodiments.

The display may be integral with the housing 20 as shown in FIGS. 12 or, in alternate embodiments, could comprise a discrete electronic device 36 which is removably secured to the housing 20. As shown in the figures, one such embodiment comprises an electronic device 36 such as a tablet which may be removably mounted within a plurality of receiver brackets 37 extending from the lower surface 22 of the housing 20. Other electronic devices 36 such as mobile phones, computers, laptops, PDA's, and the like could also be utilized.

The number, orientation, and configurations of any brackets 37 used may vary so long as the electronic device 36 is securely but removably connected to the housing 20. The receiver brackets 37 will preferably extend from the lower surface 22 of the housing 20 such that the display 34 of the electronic device 36 is visible through the upper surface 21 or upper cover 30 of the housing 20. However, other positioning may be utilized.

The housing 20 may also include a speaker 40 for providing audio capabilities for the present invention. For example, music stored on the electronic device 36 could be played through the speaker 40 of the housing 20. The housing 20 may also include a data port 42 such as a USB port to which various devices such as storage devices may be connected via a USB cable. In such embodiments, the speaker 40 may be adapted to play audio files stored on such a device connected to the data port 42.

The housing 20 may include a wireless transceiver 44 which is adapted for wireless communication with other housings 20 or with the electronic device 36. The wireless transceiver 44 may comprise a WI-FI transceiver 44 so that the present invention may be connected to a wireless network. Audio received through the transceiver 44 may be played through the speaker and video or images received from the transceiver 44 may be displayed on the display 34. Thus, the display 34 may be used for wireless streaming of video or audio.

Many embodiments will preferably be configured such that, when multiple housings 20 are interconnected, the displays 34 of the various housings 20 will act in unison as a single, larger display 34. Such a configuration is shown in FIG. 7. Various methods may be utilized to electronically interconnect multiple housings 20 to allow for the video and/or audio sharing necessary.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, each of the housings 20 includes one or more links 46 such as ribbon connectors extending from their sides 25, 26 and/or ends 23, 24. The links 46 could be on one, multiple, or all sides 25, 26 and/or ends 23, 24 of the housing 20. Such links 46 may be connected to a corresponding video port 47 to effectuate the electronic interconnection between housings 20 and displays 34. In some embodiments, the video port 47 could comprise a port adapted for both video and audio, such as HDMI. In the embodiment shown in the figures, each side 25, 26 and end 23, 24 of the housing 20 includes a link 46 for connecting to a video port 47 on an adjacent housing 20 and a video port 47 for receiving a link 46 from an adjacent housing 20.

E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, various images 14 or videos may be displayed on the display 34 whether the display 34 is integrated with the housing 20 or with an electronic device 36 which is removably connected to the housing 20. In the latter embodiment, the electronic device 36 is first secured to the lower surface 22 of the housing 20 by the receiver brackets 37 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In either embodiment, any such images 14 may be viewable through the upper cover 30 or the upper surface 21 of the housing 20.

Videos/images/sounds may be generic or customized specifically for a specific customer. Any such videos/images/sounds may be downloaded, streamed, stored locally, stored remotely, etc. Thus, the display 34 of the present invention is adapted to provide support for both local (i.e., stored natively within the housing 20) or remote (i.e., streamed from a third-party device).

Whether the display 34 is active or inactive, one or more objects 12 may be removably mounted on the projections 32 of the housing 20. For example, objects 12 comprised of toy robots may be connected to the projections 32 via openings on the bottom of such toy robots which are common with many toys. If the projections 32 are improperly sized for any type of object 12, an adapter may be provided.

For example, if the projections 32 are sized properly for building blocks, an adapter may be provided to additionally allow toys to be connected alongside the building blocks. In some embodiments, the size or shape of the projections 32 may vary on the housing 20 itself; with a first plurality of projections 32 comprising a first size/shape and a second plurality of projections 32 comprising a second size/shape.

In some embodiments, the present invention may be utilized to play a board game. In such an embodiment, the display 34 could display a board game surface, such as RISK or MONOPOLY. The projections 32 could be utilized for moving pieces for such a board game around over the display 34 to play the game. Dice could be rolled on portions of the housing 20 which do not include projections 32, or on another surface.

The housing 20 may be electronically interconnected via a wired or wireless connection with other electronic devices 36, other housings 20, or various other devices. The data port 42 may be utilized to interconnect via USB or other type of data transferring protocol with a storage device or computer which may provide a video signal for the display 34 and/or an audio signal for the speakers 40. The wireless transceiver 44 may be utilized to interconnect with a wireless network, such as via WI-FI, or to remotely connect with another electronic device 36 such as a storage device, computer, tablet, or phone.

As shown in FIG. 7, multiple housings 20 may be interconnected to each other to act as a single display 34. This may be accomplished by using the links 46 and video ports 47 on the outer edges of the housings 20. A link 46 may be connected to a video port 47 on an adjacent housing 20 so that multiple housings 20 may display a single image 14 such as shown in FIG. 7. This type of interconnection is useful for increasing the effective surface area of the displays 34.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the play mat system, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The play mat system may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A play mat system, comprising: a housing including an upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of projections extending upwardly from the upper surface of the housing for removably receiving one or more objects; a display for projecting an image through the upper surface of the housing.
 2. The play mat system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections comprises a circular cross-section.
 3. The play mat system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of projections comprise varying sizes and shapes.
 4. The play mat system of claim 1, wherein the display is integrated with the housing.
 5. The play mat system of claim 1, wherein the display is removably connected to the housing.
 6. The play mat system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a speaker for playing audio.
 7. The play mat system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes one or more receivers and one or more connectors for interconnection with other housings.
 8. The play mat system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a link for electrical interconnection with other housings.
 9. The play mat system of claim 8, wherein the link comprises a ribbon connector.
 10. The play mat system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a data port for interconnecting with a storage device.
 11. The play mat system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a upper cover.
 12. The play mat system of claim 11, wherein the display is positioned underneath the upper cover.
 13. The play mat system of claim 12, wherein the upper cover is transparent.
 14. The play mat system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of projections extend upwardly from the upper cover.
 15. A play mat system, comprising: a first housing including a first upper surface; a plurality of first projections extending from the first upper surface; a first display for projecting an image through the first upper surface of the first housing; a second housing including a second upper surface; a plurality of second projections extending from the second upper surface; a second display for projecting the image through the second upper surface of the second housing; and a link electronically connecting the first housing and the second housing such that the image is display across the first display and the second display.
 16. The play mat system of claim 15, wherein the first housing includes at least one connector and the second housing includes at least one receiver, wherein the at least one connector removably engages with the at least one receiver.
 17. The play mat system of claim 15, further comprising one or more objects adapted to be removably mounted on the first projections or the second projections.
 18. The play mat system of claim 17, wherein the first projections comprise a first size and the second projections comprise a second size, wherein the first size and the second size are different.
 19. A play mat system, comprising: a housing including an upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of projections extending upwardly from the upper surface of the housing for removably receiving one or more objects; a plurality of receiver brackets extending from the lower surface of the housing; an electronic device removably connected to the receiver brackets, wherein the electronic device comprises a display, wherein the display is visible through the upper surface of the housing; and one or more objects removably connected to the plurality of projections.
 20. The play mat system of claim 19, wherein the electronic device comprises a tablet computer. 